Often people assume that if they were to lose their ability to look after their financial affairs and make their own decisions then their spouse or children will have the power to access bank accounts and make decisions.

That is not the case.

In the event that you were to lack capacity, only those that you have nominated as ‘Attorney’ under a valid Enduring or Lasting Power of Attorney would be able to act for you. So what happens if you chose not to create a power of attorney and lose capacity, or lose capacity suddenly without having one in place?

Read more in When They Get Older.